Manchurian Lilac

A rare beauty well worth growing with large, multi stemmed plumes of pointed petals. It is quick to grow and flower with impressive size and vigour. They are wonderful for picking and will fill your home with perfume. Each grows to around 30cm and opens late spring/early summer.

Manchurian Lilac has excellent disease resistance and is cold and dry hardy. Surprisingly we have noted this heritage form to be easier and tougher than many of the modern lilacs. They have been in cultivation since 1909.

Grow Manchurian Lilac as an informal hedge, at the back of a bed or as a specimen. In autumn the dark green, heart shaped leaves turn yellow before they fall.

Water to establish, then only if rainfall is low, they don’t like wet feet. Lilacs develop a deep root system and will become dry tolerant as they establish. Plant into well drained, loamy soil, a slightly alkaline PH is best for growth. Position Lilacs in a sunny location, they need at least six hours sun a day to flower well but light shade will be tolerated. They need frost to flower at their best.

Fertilise annually with an all purpose fertiliser high in phosphorous to promote growth. It is a good idea to mulch with a well rotted cow or sheep manure with a hand full of blood and bone in winter. We have also heard it recommended a final covering of mushroom compost will sweeten the soil and keep the plant healthy and strong with even more blooms.

Prune lightly after flowering as required. A medium, deciduous shrub. Can stretch up to 6m without pruning in shady spots. Better in sun for flowers and with pruning.

Commonly known as Manchurian Lilac or Wolf’s Lilac. Syn. Syringa villosa var. wolfii.